Battle Back, Clan Track

Holding my spear to the side, I crouched ready to attack. Zangoose held out his claws as a white glow coats them.

'Hyaaaah.' He charged blindly right at me. Side stepping him to the left, I counter with a swing of my spear from the right. The club like end hit into his back with the weight of a wrecking ball.

Pressing my advantage, I go for a stab, only for the tip to stop just under the skin.

'Ahhh.' He screamed. Twisting around, he takes a swipe at my face. Blocking, I jump back a foot before going for another stab.

Pushing it aside, he reaches and stabs his claws into my left shoulder.

Gritting my teeth, I retaliated by bashing in the offending arm at the elbow. If the wet snap was anything to go by, he won't be using that arm anymore.

'Shhhi….' He backed away trying to get some distance.

Not one to let prey go, I chase after. He blocks with his right, but still attempts to back up.

'Whats wrong? Going to let a human kid beat you.' I ground out. The stab on my side was burning.

Grunting, a white glow sheaths his claws again. I reach in for a stab, he slashes the spear away and drags his razor nails across my chest.

"Owwww." I pull my spear down with all my rage and manage to hit Zangoose in the head. It doesn't knock him out as it was the middle of the spear where there was little mechanical leverage. Luckily, it did disorient him.

Taking a step back, I bring down my spear again, sending the sloth into sweet oblivion. Bracing myself on my spear, I take in glorious deep breaths.

'Winner, the Kangaskhan kin dweller!' The old voice of Malamar announced.

'Impressive brat. You really gave him a whooping.' Grumpig chortled.

'Are you alright?' asked Kangaskhan.

'I've had worse. Honedge during training comes to mind. He likes to go all stabby stab and slicey slice.' I assured.

'Is that so?�� She didn't look convinced.

'It'll be fine. I heal quickly.'

'It was a most impressive battle. Especially for one so young.' Malamar praised.

'Thank you.' I said, 'What happens now?

'Now we gather our food, and Zangoose's cut as well.' Kangaskhan replied.

'Cool.'

Getting in line with the other Pokemon, we waited for our turn. During that time, I greeted many clan elders.

'A pleasure to meet the one who gave that sloth the what for.' A spry Mienshao said.

'While the throes of battle are entertaining, I am a being who enjoys the serenity of crafting better.' I said back.

'Quite true. You should visit my clan sometime. We would love to show you the way of our kind.' She offered.

'A pleasure and an honor. I will stop by once I finish setting up.'

'Its a bargain. See you then.' She waved off, leaving with an armload of berries and a squadron of her kind behind her.

'So you're the one causing all this raucous.' I turned around to find an Absol.

'Less a raucous and more of answering a challenge.'

'A challenge was it? Looked more like a solid thrashing to me.' He praised, 'Ever feel like you need a real challenge, head to the north west and we at the Absol clan will show you how a real battle is done.' He strut off before I can give him my reply.

Just as we were almost to the front, another approached me. It was a tall creature, apparently made of two chunks of rocks, six arms, and an eyeball in each limb.

'We wanted to meet the fresh blood of the day, but come to find he is a child. Are the rumors we heard false?' It... err, they said. It was confusing as the voice sounded like it was made of many voices.

'Barbaracle, the rumors are indeed true. Though if you wish to start a fight, do it somewhere else.' Kangaskhan interceded.

'My apologies, we were merely satisfying my curiosity.' They said, the eyes in its hands tracking me.

After Barbaracle left, I asked, 'Who was that and why were there so many voices?'

'That was Barbaracle. In order for its base form to evolve, seven Binacle need to merge together. However, they are still considered individuals. They can act and talk on there own, but they still have to swear allegiance to the head to function. The stronger that bond, the stronger the Pokemon.' She explained.

'That's weird.'

'Tell me about it. I love my family, but I never want to stuck in the same body with them.' Grumpig chorused.

'It is simply another way of life.' Kangaskhan sagely noted.

'Still a little confusing.' I said.

'Indeed.' She agreed.

It took an hour or two, but we finally made it to the front. Malamar stood next to an impressive pile of berries. Her eyes glowing blue, a chunk of the pile floated to Kangaskhan's pouch. A moment later, another pile floated down to me.

Glancing at Malamar, she clarified, 'Your winnings. Take care of them and perhaps keep an eye out for that Zangoose. If there is one thing you can count on, a Zangoose's grudge is near everlasting.'

'I will be weary.' I bowed and followed Kangaskhan.

Leaving the grove, we made our way back home.

............................................................…..

Kangaskhan was right, it was well into the night when arrived back to the cave. My fruit was suspended in my shadow and my feet had new, fresh blisters.

'You did well today.' She complimented.

'Thanks. The right was a surprise but nothing I couldn't handle.'

'I was talking about you interactions with other clan leaders.'

'Oh. Well, I'm used to it by now. I had to run my own mountain for a time and I had to learn all the proper mannerisms.'

'From what I could tell, you take to the role splendidly.'

'I guess so. Was never really my cup of tea.'

'Still impressive all the same. You Am must be very proud.'

'She is. She looks forward for when I come back from my journey.'

'I'm sure she does.' She paused a moment, 'Can I ask you something?'

'Sure.' I replied.

'Do you ever feel lost? Like you are never sure of yourself and the decisions you make?'

Caught flat footed, I looked at her and quirked a brow.

'How long have you been clan leader?'

She stopped. Seems I was right on the money.

'A few months. The previous elder, my mother, died passing the title to me. Now I'm not sure if I'm doing right by my clan.'

'I see.' I said, 'You really shouldn't worry so much. Every being, man, Pokemon, we all make mistakes. We all get the jitters when faced with a tough situation. When I was a mountain lord, I was always racked with worry. Will my friends die? Am I leading them to suffering? That's just part of the job. It means you care.'

She mulled over my words, 'Thank you. You've given me much to think about.'

'My pleasure.' Entering the main chamber, I slide into my newly minted den and crawl to bed.

............................................................…..

A new dawn and a new day. I washed along with the rest of the Kangaskhan before holing up in my workshop. There was a few things I needed to set up.

Shedinja crawled into my shadow to retrieve some wooden boards Honedge and I harvested. The long side edges were grooved to fit together in a dove tail. It was painstaking to get the edges to lock into place, but now that its done I mount them onto some posts. The first bench I use for wood and metal based crafts while this one was for hide working.

The wood was stained red and worn down from use.

Moving on, I dived into my shadow to grab a few book cases that were empty with Shedinja. They were too big and clunky to maneuver one handed.

Standing them on both sides of both desks, I then pull out tools. Nothing fancy. A carving knife made from Whilipede blade, a hole punch made from Scrafty bone, a needle made from the same bone, and stretching board for hides plus some other bits and bobs.

Placing down my tools, I then grab materials. Scrafty leather, bones from several different Pokemon, a sac of Fletchinder and Talonflame down, several vials of different venoms, pouches of different kinds of dust courtesy of Oddish, and blocks of wood that I collected from different trees around the mountain. At some point, I'm going to have to find a Pokemon that can resupply my venom and powder reserves.

Speaking of, I should ask to be put on guard duty every so often. Get more materials and the like. Maybe I'll get lucky during the upcoming ranking games and it will be a battle to the death.

'Oliver, want to do some energy training? We need to see about giving your weak arse some better attacks.' Honedge barged in.

'Sure, I'll be a minute.' I reply.

Ever since I knew of the energies in my body, I have been attempting to harness them. I assume its my human origins, but nothing I do gets it to work. Banette was able to show my shadow space by brute force. My reception field is growing ever so slowly, but its not going fast enough.

What to do? What to do?